Have you finally decided to proceed with renovating your kitchen? You may be feeling very excited to give your kitchen some much-needed makeover, but remember that this process wouldn’t be as simple as you’d imagine. This is a major investment for your home, so you’d want to get things right the first time to avoid costly errors in the future.
Check out Kitchen Remodeling Guide: Tips & Advice or learn the seven most important things to keep in mind before you start the renovation process below.
1) Get on the same page with the contractor
Nothing proves more frustrating when the contractor doesn’t meet your expectations. To avoid this, you should consult with the contractor prior to the start of the project to ensure that both of you are on the same page. This includes the timeline of the renovation as well as its total cost. Try to be as specific as possible to avoid misunderstandings.
2) Check the layout
Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking that home renovations Vancouver always mean a total makeover. It’s possible that you like the current layout of your kitchen, which means the renovation may only involve picking new materials for your countertop and cabinets as well as using new colors. But if you feel like a new layout is necessary to increase the functionality of your kitchen, then a more careful planning is in order.
3) Plan your budget
Before you even call a contractor, make sure that your budget is already planned out. It’s easy to feel tempted to splurge on expensive materials and luxury appliances, which could lead you to spend way beyond what you can afford. Experts suggest allotting 60% of your total budget on cabinetry and the rest should go to your countertop and new additions to your kitchen.
4) Factor in appliances
Getting a new stove or a refrigerator means you need to make sure that your new kitchen layout can accommodate them. Have the contractor take measurements of your kitchen before you shop for new appliances. Keep in mind that this has a major influence on whether you should keep your current layout or proceed with a new one.
5) keep in mind your lifestyle, too
Aside from all the things you’ll add to your kitchen, don’t forget to consider your lifestyle as well. What items do you use the most? How often do you entertain guests? Do other family members spend a lot of time in the kitchen? These are all important factors to think about during a kitchen renovation, as they will help you imagine the perfect layout that fits your lifestyle.
6) Mix form with function
You may have a dream kitchen in mind, but you should also make sure that the makeover boosts its functionality as well. It’s never wise to sacrifice functionality for aesthetics. With adequate planning, you should be able to find the right balance between the two.
7) Monitor the entire process
The most reputable kitchen renovation contractors would provide timely updates on your new kitchen. This doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t do anything else. It pays to create a checklist and monitor the progress of the makeover yourself. Consider taking pictures so you can see the exact changes. This simple tip can be just what you need to realize how far your kitchen has come.